Clubs in Focus | Lake Macquarie Rowing Club

My name is Lisa Greissl, I live in Newcastle, NSW and having been rowing as part of Lake Macquarie Rowing Club for approximately a year and a half now.  I am also a Mum of two girls, a wife and a cancer survivor.

Having survived with very small odds after receiving a rare and malignant cancer diagnosis in December 2015, little did I know the challenges that I would face if I were to survive.  I had been a runner for as long as I could remember and absolutely loved long distance running however major surgery to remove the tumor meant that my L5 and S1 nerves would be sacrificed.  As I woke from surgery my calf and toes were numb, and my left leg extremely heavy, I slowly began recovery with a walking frame and walking stick for approximately four months. My chances of running seemed fairly slim.

I slowly begun to get some strength back and started challenging myself.  I had always been competitive and was adamant that I would run, and if not, I would shuffle.  After an attempted Park Run (yes that is how stubborn I am), I realised that running was no longer suited to my physical ability. Even though I had survived cancer, this was an extremely tough realisation for me.  I couldn't talk about running without tears welling up in my eyes.

But, I am a believer in fate, and as fate would have it that day I attempted Park Run that was actually situated on the beautiful Lake Macquarie.  In the distance, I saw a quad out on the water and begun to think that my competing days weren't over just yet.  I started the Lake Macquarie Rowing Club's three stage "Learn-to-Row" program almost the very next weekend and immediately fell in love with 
the sport.  I went through the programs with so much admiration for the mental and physical challenges it presents.

As I did mention previously, I am a competitive person and in January 2018, I was so thrilled to compete in my first regatta at the Taree Summer Regatta, an experience I will never forget.  Another memorable experience was at our own Lake Macquarie Rowing Club Regatta where I placed second in a double scull. 

Now, I could not imagine my life without rowing and I am extremely excited to compete in the 2018-2019 Regatta Season as well as compete in the AIRC Erg Championships in October.